The Observatory

The Weekend

This generation have been brought up in a time of great social change. As a result, the findings of this survey demonstrate that they have different priorities from previous generations. The data suggest that the ‘Millennials’ are reluctant to follow the conventional life path of previous generations. Buying a home, getting married and having children are not necessarily a priority now, although it is something that they anticipate happening in the future. Instead, the emphasis i…

‘Peter Pan’ Generation?

From the ‘Baby Boomers’ to ‘Generation X’ each generation have different attitudes and traditions in regards to parenting. It is possible that these differences are influenced by many factors, such as changes in attitudes and the current economic climate. It is inevitable, that these unique approaches have a direct impact on the child’s development.
The term ‘helicopter parenting’ was coined in 60’s to describe the protective parenting style of ̵…

Love or divorce?

The summer months and wedding season is fast approaching. The suit will come out, the iron, the tie, the uncomfortable shoes and the black polish. We will gather in chapels and churches, in registry offices, old mansions and beer gardens to celebrate our friends’ big day, while avoiding the summer rain showers in Wales. There will be speeches and readings, and you may well hear, at least once this summer, the reading below.

Watch the documentary on TV

S4C will broadcast four special programmes looking at the young people of Europe.

May 13, 2016, 9:30 PM

4 stori am gariad

In Manchester, Richard seeks love and wonders if he will find someone who will give him the freedom he wants. Meanwhile Francisco, in Ericeira in Portugal, has fallen in love and his sex life has been turned upside down. German schoolgirl Angelina and her Iraqi boyfriend Saher are deeply in love and want to move together in Freiburg, Germany. Thais moved from Paris to Berlin to find herself after breaking up with her boyfriend. They all question their attitudes to love, romance, sexual identity and freedom amidst the tough challenges of managing modern relationships.

May 20, 2016, 9:30 PM

4 stori am dorri'n rhydd

At 24 years old, Efa from Cardiff has no job, no boyfriend and no fixed address but does not depend on her parents for support. In Brussels, Margaux, 24, is studying for her degree and yearns to stop being financially dependent on her parents. Alexandro from Athens, spends his time working with the agricultural system of permaculture but may need his father’s help to realise his dream. At Monopoli in Italy, Claudia, 33 wants to marry her fiancé and leave her parents. These four young people embody the four options that are open to young Europeans as they make the transition to becoming adults.

May 27, 2016, 9:30 PM

4 stori am swyddi

Pawel in Lodz, Poland has abandoned his architectural studies to build a FAB LAB, and wants to create an eco-village. Claudine, from Luxembourg, is the victim of both physical and emotional violence: she has become a social worker and devoted her life to young travellers. In Munich, after brilliant results as a law student, Uta worked for several years in a large legal business. She cracked and regained her freedom; she now earns a living as a hostess and model , waiting to find meaningful employment. Jeans Baptiste lives in the Paris region of France. After working several years as an office clerk, he decided, at 23, to open his own gourmet restaurant. Throughout Europe, the workforce wrestles with lifestyle choices and values that are not always compatible.

Jun 3, 2016, 9:30 PM

11 stori : 1 penwythnos

One Saturday and night, spread across the four corners of Europe, eleven young people have only one thing in mind: to have fun. From the restaurant to the funfair, with alcohol, drugs and drag acts, from improvisation and zen meditation to street art. With eleven different ways to spend Saturday evening, we follow our subjects from dawn until dawn.